Page 4015 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008
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The penalties imposed by the court sometimes reflect the conduct of the person and in the case of BP Australia, where over $5 million has been spent on the clean-up and remediation, the penalty imposed may have resulted in a figure less than BP Australia’s contribution to the ACT community through the ACT Environmental grants and solar initiative.
4. In relation to the number of prosecutions under the ACT Environmental Protection Act, see the answer to Question on Notice 2156. In relation to the comparability of prosecutions in other States, I am not prepared to authorise the use of the very considerable resources that would be involved in providing the detailed information required to answer this question.
Environment—climate change
(Question No 2161)
Dr Foskey asked the Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, upon notice, on 7 August 2008:
What are the specific programs and measures that the ACT Government has in place to ensure that the impacts of climate change do not fall disproportionately on low income households.
Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
The ACT Government has a number of current programs to assist householders including the ACT EnergyWise and HEAT programs which offer home energy audits, advice and associated ACT Government rebates.
The ACT Government has also committed $20 million to retrofit public housing with water and energy-saving technologies and increased rebates on water bills for concession card holders.
The Government has also recently committed to develop a household vulnerability risk assessment tool and best practice hardship policy.
The ACT Government is also monitoring the Australia Government’s commitment to the following measures that will assist low income households address expected rising costs:
• Increase pensions and benefits to meet increased cost of living
• Provide taxation relief and payments assistance for low income households
• Assist middle income earners to meet anticipated increased cost of living
• Measures to increase energy efficiency improvements to help households take practical action to reduce energy use and reduce bills.
Environment—solar hot water systems
(Question No 2162)
Dr Foskey asked the Minister for the Environment, Water and Climate Change, upon notice, on 7 August 2008:
(1) How many houses in the ACT have solar hot water systems;
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